As for kendo, despite my 16 years in an art that claims to be applying the principles of the sword, it has become something else entirely. Iaido is probably a better initial art to explore IS principles.

but iaido folks don't like you doing that though, because you don't look good that way. and good looking while drawing the sword to cut some bugger(s) is paramount for iaido, right? remember, that we, asian, looked good naturally so you have more works cut out for you.

incidentally, some of the stuffs, that my iaido teacher made me do, seemed to blend in with IS stuffs nicely.